The Regional District East Kootenay (RDEK) has launched a registration drive to increase the number of people signed up for the Regional Evacuation Notification System (ENS) and will be holding a series of registration events around the region over the next few weeks.
The ENS is powered by Voyent Alert! and notifies residents and property owners only in case of evacuation orders or alerts during critical events such as wildfires, floods, or hazardous materials incidents.
“This system is critically important in emergencies. It provides immediate notification when every second counts, and our goal is to have as many residents and visitors as possible registered,” stresses RDEK Communications Manager, Loree Duczek. “To make it as easy as possible and to provide in-person support or information for those who would like assistance, we are holding a series of registration events in April and May.”
The tour will include stops in Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Canal Flats, Fairmont Hot Springs, Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, and the communities of Shuswap and ʔaq̓am. All residents are welcome to stop by during these scheduled visits to receive assistance signing up for the program.
Fernie Events:
• April 17: Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre (562, 3rd Ave) 11 AM – 2 PM
• April 17: Save-On-Foods (792, 2nd Ave) 3 PM – 6 PM
Residents may also call the RDEK to ask for help signing up to the system at 1-888-478-7335 and can sign-up online anytime by visiting the emergency information page on the RDEK website.
“We’ve seen our registrations almost double since the beginning of 2023, but still have a long way to go,” adds Duczek. “If you have not yet registered, now is a great time to add this free tool as a part of your personal emergency readiness plan. For those who have previously registered, this is also a perfect time to login and check that you have accurately marked your property location.”
During the wildfires of 2023, the RDEK found numerous users had inaccurately marked their property location. Those unsure of how to check can stop in during the registration events or contact the RDEK.
